Ambition –– a strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work. Ambition is a feeling, it’s an aspiration, it’s not an action. In order to turn our ambition into action, we have to take steps that turn our desire to do something into an actual completed task.

Each of these women have unique stories and perspective on what it means to be an ambitious woman and to push forward every day to achieve their goals. We’re excited to chat with them about this and hope you will join us!

THE CONVERSATION:

One thing that may come up when moving towards actualizing your ambition is fear. Then, when we face that fear and start taking action, there’s a chance that despite our best efforts, we may fail. Sometimes the thought of that failure fuels the fear and prevents us from taking action. We all feel this. But those who we admire, who achieve great things, move past this feeling and push forward.

But how do they do it? What thoughts actually go through their mind and what tools and methods do they use to move through obstacles they face internally and externally to achieve their goals?

Well, to help us answer those questions, we tapped a few smart women who know a little something about overcoming fear, facing failure and actualizing ambition.

Soledad O’Brien is an award-winning journalist, documentarian, news anchor and producer. Two years ago, O’Brien launched Starfish Media Group. But before that, she was let go from her gig as an anchor for CNN’s morning show. But now, as a CEO, CNN is one of her clients and she’s still one of the most sought-after journalists today. Victoria Taylor, recently stepped into a new role as the director of digital community at WeWork after a very public firing from her previous position at reddit. Meagan Hooper, founder of BSmartGuide.com worked her way up from administrative assistant to COO of a premier hedge fund. For this conversation, we’ll also be joined by Vanessa De Luca, Editor-in-Chief of ESSENCE magazine. De Luca’s journey is special because in this era of feeling like we have to “make it” before 30, De Luca’s story proves this is not true. She did not begin her career in publishing until she was 30 –– a restart after her initial career path took a turn that she was not willing to follow.